Five short world leaders you should know about

There is a raging debate in the country as to whether a short man or woman can be president.

The debate was sparked by sports minister and leading National Democratic Congress (NDC) member Nii Lantey Vaderpuije who stated that the presidency of Ghana is not for short people.

While no short man or woman has managed to become president of Ghana so far, many short people have ascended to leadership positions elsewhere in the world.

Here are five height-challenged world leaders you should know about.

1. Nicholas Sarkozy

He is a French politician who served as the president of France from 16 May 2007 until 15 May 2012.

He is said to be extremely sensitive about his small stature and reacts angrily to any aspersions about his tiny frame.

To augment his stature, Sarkozy has stood on boxes, foot-stools, even on his tippy-toes and reportedly even demanded to be photographed only among other short (or shorter) people.

His wife Carla supposedly wears flats to try to diminish the height difference between them, according to a report by ibtimes.co.uk.

2. Silvio Berlusconi

He is an Italian media tycoon and politician who served as prime minister of Italy in four governments. He is said to be 6 5-foot-4, but he has claimed to be taller. He reportedly once boasted to Italian media:

He is the current Prime Minister of Russia and former president of the country between 2008 and 20012.

Reports say Russian media are pressured by Moscow officials to make Medvedev look taller than he really is – by, among other tricks, asking photographers to shoot the diminutive president from a low angle. He also supposedly wears shoes with 2.5-inch heels.

4. Ban Kin Moon

At 5 feet 10 inches The UN secretary general is one of the hight-challenged leaders in the world. It is not known if he employs any trick to boost his height.

5. Kim Jung-un

The North Korean supreme leader is 5 feet and 9 inches. He is said to be fond of wearing shoes decked out with Cuban heels to boost his height.

Which other height-challenged leader do you know of? Share your views with us in the comments section and feel free to share this article with your friends. You can also send your reactions, pictures and videos to us on Facebook and on Twitter.